Content Team

Cremini Toadstools

Cremini mushrooms are also known as Baby Bella mushrooms. They are a more mature version of a typical button mushroom and a less mature version of a portobello. They are a meaty, hearty, flavorful culinary component and contain some serious nutritive and medicinal value. These toadstools are low in calories and fat while being high in protein, carbohydrate, and dietary fiber. Mushrooms play a big role in Chinese medicine due to their biologically active compounds.

‍Cremini mushrooms provide unique immune system support and are at the top of the list for regulating unwanted inflammation. They protect against cardiovascular disease as well as hormone-dependent breast cancer due to their high levels of CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), an essential fatty acid that is important for good health. The presence of CLA in mushrooms is fascinating, because it is only typically found in animal foods like milk, cheese, and meats. These fungi are top notch antioxidants packed with nutrients like copper, selenium, vitamin B2, and pantothenic acid.

“The food experts generally agree on three points when it comes to the history of portabellas:

1. This meaty mushroom is an American invention with Italian roots (spores, actually) made popular by clever marketing in the late 1980s/early 1990s. Both cremini and portobello mushrooms are first mentioned in the New York Times during the mid 1980s.

2. There are several theories regarding the name. Although these mushrooms are also currently enjoyed in fine dining establishments of Central/South America, there is no apparent connection between the town of Portobelo (Panama) the origination of the name or item.

3. There is no definitive spelling of this fungus. According to Google (not a scientific, but a popular survey), Portobello is preferred (169,000), followed by portabella (33,100) and portobella (3,510).”

FUN FACT:

There are over 30 species of mushrooms that glow in the dark! This chemical reaction is called bioluminescence and it produces a glowing light known as ‘foxfire.’ These glowing shrooms have been known to guide people through the woods at night.